Redrobe predicts promotion for Bulls

4:30pm Thursday 27th March 2008

ONE of Hereford United's favourite old-boys is sure his former club are on target for better things.

Eric Redrobe, who was the guest of the Bulls Banter forum members at the home match against Bury, said: "I have no hesitation in saying that Hereford will get promoted.

"Hereford look rock solid at the back. They have two of the most uncompromising defenders in Dean Beckwith and John McCombe. I would not like to play against them, they do not give anything away and cover each other so well.

"I actually thought I was watching Arsenal for a while when I saw Toumani Diagouraga out there - he is so like Patrick Vieira."

And he added with a smile: "I think Gary Hooper up front is a bit more skilful than I was."

Redrobe, who played for the club in two spells between 1972-77, enjoyed life in Hereford for many years after he finished playing.

"The memories came flooding back as soon as we saw the Hereford sign coming in on the Worcester road," he said.

"After I finished with football through injury, I played a bit locally and worked for Sun Valley. Then I worked at the hospital and after that, I found a job as a bailiff and did that for 10 years.

"Unfortunately, an illness at home required me to sell my property and we bought a house in Wigan.

"SInce then, I have worked as a manager of a team of enforcement officers' as they are now known."

But he still maintains the contacts built up during his career and time in the city.

"I keep in touch with Peter Isaac and Colin Addison," he said. "I'm also in touch with Jim Finney who is a very good friend.

"In the era that I played, there was an affinity among the players that was superb. People like Dudley Tyler, Tony Byrne, Tommy Hughes and Tommy Naylor, who has had both his hips replaced and looks very well on it."

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